Chimeric effector cell receptors against carcinoembryonic antigen

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a specific humanized antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) called hMN14 when prepared as a chimeric molecule with signaling molecules of T cells and other effector cells, and the use thereof in the treatment of cancers expressing CEA.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/250,090, filed on Nov. 30, 2000, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application also is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/250,087, “Method to improve protein expression by removal of cysteines,” filed on Nov. 30, 2000.

REFERENCES CITED

[0002] U.S. Patent Documents:

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,540 Hansen et al., 1994

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,494 Capon et al., 1995

[0005] Other References:

[0006] Brinkmann et al, 1993, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:7538-42.

[0007] Moritz et al, 1995, Gene Therapy 2:539-46.

[0008] Nolan et al, 1999, Clin Cancer Res 5:3928-41.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention relates to immuno-gene therapy of CEA-expressing cancers.

STATEMENT ON FEDERALLY-SPONSORED R&D

[0010] No federal funds were used in the creation of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The tumor-associated marker, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is expressed on many tumors of epithelial origin—colorectal, breast, lung and others—and it has a profile of expression in normal tissues that will plausibly allow selective targeting of tumorous expression of the antigen. Nearly 150,000 Americans die each year from CEA-expressing cancers. T cells can penetrate virtually every biologic space and have the power to dispose of normal or malignant cells as seen in viral and autoimmune diseases and in the rare spontaneous remissions of cancer. However, T cells are readily tolerant to self or tumor antigens, and “immune surveillance” has manifestly failed in every cancer that is clinically apparent. There is a strong need and value for means to direct T cells against CEA-expressing cancers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The humanized antibody against CEA has been prepared called hMN14 (Hansen et al, 1994). It is the goal of this patent to supply the specificities and affinities to patient T cells without regard for their “endogenous” T cell receptor repertoire, directed by antibody-defined recognition to kill malignant cells based on their expression of CEA. This is achieved by preparing chimeric molecules of hMN14 with molecules derived from T cells or related effector cell molecules, with particular enhancements, which redirect T cells or other effector cells against the tumor cells in a focused anti-tumor immune response by “re-educating” the patient's immune system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a chimeric antibody-T cell receptor that employs the zeta chain of the TCR. In this example, a single chain Fv (sFv) version of hMN14 is linked by a CD8α hinge to the TCR zeta chain. The CD8α hinge has been further modified to remove the cysteines involved in CD8 dimerization to improve surface expression.

[0014]FIG. 2 A shows the near absence of heterodimer molecules when the native CD8α hinge is employed, although it would be predicted to be the dominant species, with a lower net expression of chimeric molecule relative to endogenous zeta chain. FIG. 2B shows the effect of removing the cysteines, which now allows much increased net expression of chimeric molecule when heterodimer can be expressed.

[0015]FIG. 3 shows diagram and DNA sequence of chimeric hMN14 sFv IgTCR, including the CD8α hinge modified-to-remove cysteines, within a retroviral vector. The IgTCR molecule specified in this invention occupies nucleotides 2426 to 3766. (The vector sequences are incidental.)

[0016]FIG. 4 shows the DNA sequence of the VH domain (4A) and VL domain (4B) (with attached Cκ sequences) that are specific to hMN14. These sequences were modified to prepare the sFv used in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, and similarly for other constructs.

[0017]FIG. 5 shows the effect of hMN14 IgTCR-modified T cells in killing CEA-positive tumor cells, but sparing CEA-negative cells.

[0018]FIG. 6 shows the effect of hMN14 IgTCR (signal 1) on causing sustained tumor cell killing when stimulated in conjunction with CD28 (signal 2) stimulation of the gene-modified T cells via B7 antigen expressed in the tumor cells. (A) Signal 1 alone from tumor cells leads to AICD with declining effector cell numbers, that is reversed with signal 1+2. (B) Signal 1 leads to limited duration of tumor killing because of declining T cell numbers. (C) Signal 1+2 leads to sustained tumor killing because of the sustained and expanding T cell numbers. The use of hMN14 IgCD28 to modify patient T cells will supply the second signal on contact with CEA that is necessary to suppress effector cell death and achieve sustained killing activity.

[0019]FIG. 7 shows an example of one design for hMN14 IgCD28. This also uses a modified CD8α hinge. Similar designs for other chimeric molecules with hMN14 are envisioned, with or without hinge that is the same or different.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] This patent is intended to cover all chimeric molecules created with the hMN14 antibody (Ig) (defined by the amino acids corresponding to the variable region sequences of FIG. 4) or its derivatives with cell surface molecules which could be used in redirecting and/or activating T cells or other effector cells in the recognition and attack against CEA-expressing tumors. The chimeric molecules of this claim includes, but is not limited to, the following molecules: IgTCR (FIG. 1), which has an antibody binding domain from the hMN14 antibody fused to one or more chains of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex; IgCD28 (FIG. 7), which has an antibody binding domain from the hMN14 antibody fused to the CD28 T cell co-receptor molecule; IgLFA-1, which has an antibody binding domain from the hMN14 antibody fused to the LFA-1 T cell co-receptor/adhesion molecule; IgCD2, which has an antibody binding domain from these specific antibodies fused to the CD2 T cell co-receptor/adhesion molecule; and by analogy, any other T cell or effector cell molecules which are usefully employed in chimeric structures with the hMN14 binding domains. The chimeric molecules may themselves incorporate cytoplasmic signaling domains, as in the foregoing examples. Or the chimeric molecules may instead be non-signaling, such as examples of Ig linked to TCR α or β chains, or Ig linked to Fc receptor (FcR) non-signaling chains, that in turn associate with signaling chains to activate cellular functions. These molecules may additionally include spacer domains or epitope tags. A single-chain Fv (sFv) version of the hMN14 has been favored for use in these constructs, but Fab or other IgG chimeric hMN14 molecules would be equally included under this invention. The initial description of some of these preparations is contained in Nolan et al, published Dec. 1, 1999. This demonstrates reduction to practice of the concepts contained herein.

[0021] The invention additionally allows for the presence of a (GSGGS)3 linker in the sFv of the Ig portion of the chimeric molecules. Whereas the sFv antibodies may frequently not fold properly to maintain stability, I included the extra serine to improve hydration and sFv folding versus the typical (GGGGS)3 linker that has been associated in some cases with abolished or diminished sFv affinity (e.g., Brinkmann et al, 1993). In the case of the hMN14 sFv, this linker led to an sFv virtually indistinguishable from the monovalent binding affinity of the parental hMN14 antibody (Nolan et al, 1999).

[0022] The invention additionally allows for the modification-to-remove cysteines in the CD8α hinge domain to improve the surface expression of the chimeric molecules (Nolan et al, 1999). Free cysteines of the hinge of the heterodimer of zeta: sFv-hinge-zeta target this molecular complex for destruction, reducing the net amount of chimeric molecule expression on the cell surface. (The homodimer (sFv-hinge-zeta)₂ has safe pairing of cysteines to spare this specific configuration from destruction. More heterodimer is expected because of binomial considerations where the endogenous zeta exceeds the transduced zeta chimera as is typical.) This principle is demonstrated by the poor expression of heterodimers of such molecules where the cysteine residues are retained (Moritz et al, 1995) and their excellent expression when I modified-to-remove these cysteines (Nolan et al, 1999) (FIG. 2). The efficacy of T cell functions through surface receptors are generally higher with higher surface expression, which the rescue (i.e., non-destruction) of heterodimers would allow. These chimeric molecules are introduced into patient T cells by gene therapy techniques, such as by retroviral vector transduction or other methods. This method of improving cell surface expression is cross-referenced (Junghans Provisional Patent No. 60/250,087).

[0023] In one example, IgTCR (FIG. 1) provides signal 1, which directs T cell killing; IgCD28 (FIG. 7) provides signal 2, which suppresses activation induced cell death of T cells and allows sustained proliferation and survival; and IgLFA1, which provides signal 3 and supports secretion of interleukin 2, an essential T cell growth factor. Combinations of signals can yield improved T cell survival and tumor cell killing (FIG. 6). The invention allows for use of these and/or analogous chimeric molecules of hMN14 alone or in any combination.

[0024] The combination use of such chimeric molecules in treatment of cancers is a further part of the claim. This applies an understanding that more than one signal is required for sustained antitumor efficacy. This application specifically envisions that the same antibody binding domain is applied in the additional chimeric receptor molecules such that encounter with the same tumor antigen successfully triggers more than one signal in the effector cell. Alternatively, additional signaling chimeric molecules may have engineered Ig specificities which direct them to different surface molecules on the tumor cell, rather than to the same one, to avoid binding site competition or to regulate the amount of receptor stimulation where this regulation enhances the desired outcome of antitumor efficacy in therapy.

[0025] The purpose is to educate immune effector cells to attack CEA-expressing tumor cells. Advantages are that the sequences used to recognize CEA in hMN14 are humanized and of high affinity, their conjugation with T cell molecules leads to direct recognition of CEA+ tumors by human T cells with proven efficacy, and hinge and sFv linker modifications make the Ig folding and surface expression more efficient with advantages in anti-tumor activity. Presently, treatments for CEA+ cancers are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, none of which is curative for metastatic disease. A critical component of this therapy is the specific antibody, hMN14, that recognizes the CEA. No other IgTCR or Ig-T cell molecules has the amino acid sequence of the hMN14 CEA-recognition domain which I employ, and which I have proven to be effective (FIG. 5). There is no patent of the hMN14 sequence in chimeric state with T cell or other effector cell molecules, or with the use of a modified hinge structure.

[0026] An invention exists as to the general chimeric Ig molecules with cell receptor proteins (Capon et al, 1996). My invention is distinguished by targeting the CEA antigen, by the uniqueness of the hMN14 antibody sequences employed, by the new concept in modification of hinge and sFv linker domains that improves the cell surface expression, and by the combination of such anti-CEA hMN14 receptor molecules expressed in effector cells which are stimulated in concert specifically by the same tumor antigen or by a different tumor antigen or antigens. These chimeric hMN14 molecules are in addition to and outside of the claims of the hMN14 patent (Hansen et al., 1994), but reference the uniqueness of these sequences (FIG. 4).

1 6 1 7654 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (2428)..(3759) Chimeric IgTCR sequence contained in retroviral vector. Retroviral vector sequence (non-coding regions) are incidental to the invention. The translated (coding region) is relevant to the invention. (pertinent to Figure 3.) 1 aagcttgcat gcctgcaggt cgactctagg cacataaaga aaaacataac taaccaagct 60 gcagccgaga cagtgaaaag aaccgttaaa acggtttgtt ttaaataaac tgaattattt 120 agagtcattt ctttggtagg aaagtacatt ggcacgtaaa ggagcccaaa gcaatctgtg 180 gaaagcccag gctgggagcc cagcagtttg catcccctcc tggcgtgtac ctaagggttt 240 cttaattgtg tggtttctaa atcttccaga gggtttgtct cattcacttc cacttcggtg 300 cacaatactt ggacgcggat ttactgtctt agcatctatc ggtggccctt cgattgaggc 360 tgaacctgag gcccacttct tcagcttgtt aaggagagca caagcaccag aagaggctga 420 cccggcagac ctgtgggcat ttttaacaag ggcctcctgg gtctgtggga ggcaggctta 480 cataaggtgc aaattagaaa tataaataat aagcccatat caatttgtca tcttttttta 540 agctcaagtt ttgaaagacc ccacctgtag gtttggcaag ctagcttaag taacgccatt 600 ttgcaaggca tggaaaatac ataactgaga atagagaagt tcagatcaag gttaggaaca 660 gagagacagc agaatatggg ccaaacagga tatctgtggt aagcagttcc tgccccgctc 720 agggccaaga acagttggaa caggagaata tgggccaaac aggatatctg tggtaagcag 780 ttcctgcccc ggctcagggc caagaacaga tggtccccag atgcggtccc gccctcagca 840 gtttctagag aaccatcaga tgtttccagg gtgccccaag gacctgaaat gaccctgtgc 900 cttatttgaa ctaaccaatc agttcgcttc tcgcttctgt tcgcgcgctt ctgctccccg 960 agctcaataa aagagcccac aacccctcac tcggcgcgcc agtcctccga tagactgcgt 1020 cgcccgggta cccgtattcc caataaagcc tcttgctgtt tgcatccgaa tcgtggactc 1080 gctgatcctt gggagggtct cctcagattg attgactgcc cacctcgggg gtctttcatt 1140 tggaggttcc accgagattt ggagacccct gcccagggac caccgacccc cccgccggga 1200 ggtaagctgg ccagcaactt atctgtgtct gtccgattgt ctagtgtcta tgactgattt 1260 tatgcgcctg cgtcggtact agttagctaa ctagctctgt atctggcgga cccgtggtgg 1320 aactgacgag ttcggaacac ccggccgcaa ccctgggaga cgtcccaggg acttcggggg 1380 ccgtttttgt ggcccgacct gagtcctaaa atcccgatcg tttaggactc tttggtgcac 1440 cccccttaga ggagggatat gtggttctgg taggagacga gaacctaaaa cagttcccgc 1500 ctccgtctga atttttgctt tcggtttggg accgaagccg cgccgcgcgt cttgtctgct 1560 gcagcatcgt tctgtgttgt ctctgtctga ctgtgtttct gtatttgtct gaaaatatgg 1620 gcccgggcta gactgttacc actcccttaa gtttgacctt aggtcactgg aaagatgtcg 1680 agcggatcgc tcacaaccag tcggtagatg tcaagaagag acgttgggtt accttctgct 1740 ctgcagaatg gccaaccttt aacgtcggat ggccgcgaga cggcaccttt aaccgagacc 1800 tcatcaccca ggttaagatc aaggtctttt cacctggccc gcatggacac ccagaccagg 1860 tcccctacat cgtgacctgg gaagccttgg cttttgaccc ccctccctgg gtcaagccct 1920 ttgtacaccc taagcctccg cctcctcttc ctccatccgc cccgtctctc ccccttgaac 1980 ctcctcgttc gaccccgcct cgatcctccc tttatccagc cctcactcct tctctaggcg 2040 cccccatatg gccatatgag atcttatatg gggcaccccc gccccttgta aacttccctg 2100 accctgacat gacaagagtt actaacagcc cctctctcca agctcactta caggcttcta 2160 cttagtccag cacgaagtct ggagacctct ggcggcagcc taccaagaac aactggaccg 2220 accggtggta cctcaccctt accgagtcgg cgacacagtg tgggtccgcc gacaccagac 2280 taagaaccta gaacctcgct ggaaaggacc ttacacagtc ctgctgacca cccccaccgc 2340 cctcaaagta gacggcatcg cagcttggat acacgccgcc cacgtgaagg ctgccgaccc 2400 cgggggtgga ccatcctcta gactgcc atg gga tgg agc tgt atc atc ctc ttc 2454 Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe 1 5 ttg gta gca aca gct aca ggt gtc cac tcc gac atc cag ctg acc cag 2502 Leu Val Ala Thr Ala Thr Gly Val His Ser Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln 10 15 20 25 agc cca agc agc ctg agc gcc agc gtg ggt gac aga gtg acc atc acc 2550 Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr 30 35 40 tgt aag gcc agt cag gat gtg ggt act tct gta gct tgg tac cag cag 2598 Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln Asp Val Gly Thr Ser Val Ala Trp Tyr Gln Gln 45 50 55 aag cca ggt aag gct cca aag ctg ctg atc tac tgg aca tcc acc cgg 2646 Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Trp Thr Ser Thr Arg 60 65 70 cac act ggt gtg cca agc aga ttc agc ggt agc ggt agc ggt acc gac 2694 His Thr Gly Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp 75 80 85 ttc acc ttc acc atc agc agc ctc cag cca gag gac atc gcc acc tac 2742 Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr 90 95 100 105 tac tgc cag caa tat agc ctc tat cgg tcg ttc ggc caa ggg acc aag 2790 Tyr Cys Gln Gln Tyr Ser Leu Tyr Arg Ser Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys 110 115 120 gtg gaa atc aaa cga ggt ggc tca gga tcg ggt gga tcc ggc tct ggt 2838 Val Glu Ile Lys Arg Gly Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly 125 130 135 ggc tca gga tcg gag gtc caa ctg gtg gag agc ggt gga ggt gtt gtg 2886 Gly Ser Gly Ser Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Val Val 140 145 150 caa cct ggc cgg tcc ctg cgc ctg tcc tgc tcc gca tct ggc ttc gat 2934 Gln Pro Gly Arg Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ser Ala Ser Gly Phe Asp 155 160 165 ttc acc aca tat tgg atg agt tgg gtg aga cag gca cct gga aaa ggt 2982 Phe Thr Thr Tyr Trp Met Ser Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly 170 175 180 185 ctt gag tgg att gga gaa att cat cca gat agc agt acg att aac tat 3030 Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly Glu Ile His Pro Asp Ser Ser Thr Ile Asn Tyr 190 195 200 gcg ccg tct cta aag gat aga ttt aca ata tcg cga gac aac gcc aag 3078 Ala Pro Ser Leu Lys Asp Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ala Lys 205 210 215 aac aca ttg ttc ctg caa atg gac agc ctg aga ccc gaa gac acc ggg 3126 Asn Thr Leu Phe Leu Gln Met Asp Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr Gly 220 225 230 gtc tat ttt tgt gca agc ctt tac ttc ggc ttc ccc tgg ttt gct tat 3174 Val Tyr Phe Cys Ala Ser Leu Tyr Phe Gly Phe Pro Trp Phe Ala Tyr 235 240 245 tgg ggc caa ggg acc ccg gtc acc gtc tcc agt gct aag ccc acc acg 3222 Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Pro Val Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Lys Pro Thr Thr 250 255 260 265 acg cca gcg ccg cga cca cca aca ccg gcg ccc acc atc gcg tcg cag 3270 Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln 270 275 280 ccc ctg tcc ctg cgc cca gag gcg gct cgg cca gcg gcg ggg ggc gca 3318 Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Ala Ala Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala 285 290 295 gtg cac acg agg ggg ctg gac ttc gcc ctg gat ccc aaa ctc tgc tac 3366 Val His Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Leu Asp Pro Lys Leu Cys Tyr 300 305 310 ctg ctg gat gga atc ctc ttc atc tat ggt gtc att ctc act gcc ttg 3414 Leu Leu Asp Gly Ile Leu Phe Ile Tyr Gly Val Ile Leu Thr Ala Leu 315 320 325 ttc ctg aga gtg aag ttc agc agg agc gca gag ccc ccc gcg tac cag 3462 Phe Leu Arg Val Lys Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Glu Pro Pro Ala Tyr Gln 330 335 340 345 cag ggc cag aac cag ctc tat aac gag ctc aat cta gga cga aga gag 3510 Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu 350 355 360 gag tac gat gtt ttg gac aag aga cgt ggc cgg gac cct gag atg ggg 3558 Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly 365 370 375 gga aag ccg aga agg aag aac cct cag gaa ggc ctg tac aat gaa ctg 3606 Gly Lys Pro Arg Arg Lys Asn Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu 380 385 390 cag aaa gat aag atg gcg gag gcc tac agt gag att ggg atg aaa ggc 3654 Gln Lys Asp Lys Met Ala Glu Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly 395 400 405 gag cgc cgg agg ggc aag ggg cac gat ggc ctt tac cag ggt ctc agt 3702 Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys Gly His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser 410 415 420 425 aca gcc acc aag gac acc tac gac gcc ctt cac atg cag gcc ctg ccc 3750 Thr Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr Tyr Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro 430 435 440 cct cgc taa ctcgacgcgg ccgcggatcc ggattagtcc aatttgttaa 3799 Pro Arg agacaggata tcagtggtcc aggctctagt tttgactcaa caatatcacc agctgaagcc 3859 tatagagtac gagccataga taaaataaaa gattttattt agtctccaga aaaagggggg 3919 aatgaaagac cccacctgta ggtttggcaa gctagcttaa gtaacgccat tttgcaaggc 3979 atggaaaata cataactgag aatagagaag ttcagatcaa ggttaggaac agagagacag 4039 cagaatatgg gccaaacagg atatctgtgg taagcagttc ctgccccgct cagggccaag 4099 aacagttgga acaggagaat atgggccaaa caggatatct gtggtaagca gttcctgccc 4159 cggctcaggg ccaagaacag atggtcccca gatgcggtcc cgccctcagc agtttctaga 4219 gaaccatcag atgtttccag ggtgccccaa ggacctgaaa tgaccctgtg ccttatttga 4279 actaaccaat cagttcgctt ctcgcttctg ttcgcgcgct tctgctcccc gagctcaata 4339 aaagagccca caacccctca ctcggcgcgc cagtcctccg atagactgcg tcgcccgggt 4399 acccgtgttc tcaataaacc ctcttgcagt tgcatccgac tcgtggtctc gctgttcctt 4459 gggagggtct ctctgagtga ttgactaccc gtcagcgggg tctttcagtt tctcccacct 4519 acacaggtct cactaacatt cctgatgtgc cgcagggact ccgtcagccc ggtttttgtt 4579 tataataaaa tgcaagaaca gtgttccctt caagccagac tacatcctga ctctcggctt 4639 tataaaagaa tgttgaaggg ctctgtggac tatctgccac acgacttttt aagattttta 4699 tgcctcctgg atgagggatt tagtcaatct atcctcgtct attttgctgg cttctccgta 4759 ttttaaattt ctagtttgca ctcccttcct gagagcacgg cgattgcaga gtagttaata 4819 ctctgagggc aggcttctgt gaaaaggttg cctgggctca gtgtgagatt ttgccataaa 4879 aaggggtcct gcccctgtgt acagacagat cggaatctag agtgcatact cagagtcccc 4939 gcggttccgg ggctctgatc tcagggcatc tttgcctaga gatcctctac gccggacgca 4999 tcgtggccgg gtaccgagct cgaattcgta atcatggtca tagctgtttc ctgtgtgaaa 5059 ttgttatccg ctcacaattc cacacaacat acgagccgga agcataaagt gtaaagcctg 5119 gggtgcctaa tgagtgagct aactcacatt aattgcgttg cgctcactgc ccgctttcca 5179 gtcgggaaac ctgtcgtgcc agctgcatta atgaatcggc caacgcgcgg ggagaggcgg 5239 tttgcgtatt gggcgctctt ccgcttcctc gctcactgac tcgctgcgct cggtcgttcg 5299 gctgcggcga gcggtatcag ctcactcaaa ggcggtaata cggttatcca cagaatcagg 5359 ggataacgca ggaaagaaca tgtgagcaaa aggccagcaa aaggccagga accgtaaaaa 5419 ggccgcgttg ctggcgtttt tccataggct ccgcccccct gacgagcatc acaaaaatcg 5479 acgctcaagt cagaggtggc gaaacccgac aggactataa agataccagg cgtttccccc 5539 tggaagctcc ctcgtgcgct ctcctgttcc gaccctgccg cttaccggat acctgtccgc 5599 ctttctccct tcgggaagcg tggcgctttc tcatagctca cgctgtaggt atctcagttc 5659 ggtgtaggtc gttcgctcca agctgggctg tgtgcacgaa ccccccgttc agcccgaccg 5719 ctgcgcctta tccggtaact atcgtcttga gtccaacccg gtaagacacg acttatcgcc 5779 actggcagca gccactggta acaggattag cagagcgagg tatgtaggcg gtgctacaga 5839 gttcttgaag tggtggccta actacggcta cactagaagg acagtatttg gtatctgcgc 5899 tctgctgaag ccagttacct tcggaaaaag agttggtagc tcttgatccg gcaaacaaac 5959 caccgctggt agcggtggtt tttttgtttg caagcagcag attacgcgca gaaaaaaagg 6019 atctcaagaa gatcctttga tcttttctac ggggtctgac gctcagtgga acgaaaactc 6079 acgttaaggg attttggtca tgagattatc aaaaaggatc ttcacctaga tccttttaaa 6139 ttaaaaatga agttttaaat caatctaaag tatatatgag taaacttggt ctgacagtta 6199 ccaatgctta atcagtgagg cacctatctc agcgatctgt ctatttcgtt catccatagt 6259 tgcctgactc cccgtcgtgt agataactac gatacgggag ggcttaccat ctggccccag 6319 tgctgcaatg ataccgcgag acccacgctc accggctcca gatttatcag caataaacca 6379 gccagccgga agggccgagc gcagaagtgg tcctgcaact ttatccgcct ccatccagtc 6439 tattaattgt tgccgggaag ctagagtaag tagttcgcca gttaatagtt tgcgcaacgt 6499 tgttgccatt gctacaggct cgtggtgtca cgctcgtcgt ttggtatggc ttcattcagc 6559 tccggttccc aacgatcaag gcgagttaca tgatccccca tgttgtgcaa aaaagcggtt 6619 agctccttcg gtcctccgat cgttgtcaga agtaagttgg ccgcagtgtt atcactcatg 6679 gttatggcag cactgcataa ttctcttact gtcatgccat ccgtaagatg cttttctgtg 6739 actggtgagt actcaaccaa gtcattctga gaatagtgta tgcggcgacc gagttgctct 6799 tgcccggcgt caatacggga taataccgcg ccacatagca gaactttaaa agtgctcatc 6859 attggaaaac gttcttcggg gcgaaaactc tcaaggatct taccgctgtt gagatccagt 6919 tcgatgtaac ccactcgtgc acccaactga tcttcagcat cttttacttt caccagcgtt 6979 tctgggtgag caaaaacagg aaggcaaaat gccgcaaaaa agggaataag ggcgacacgg 7039 aaatgttgaa tactcatact cttccttttt caatattatt gaagcattta tcagggttat 7099 tgtctcatga gcggatacat atttgaatgt atttagaaaa ataaacaaat aggggttccg 7159 cgcacatttc cccgaaaagt gccacctgac gtctaagaaa ccattattat catgacatta 7219 acctataaaa ataggcgtat cacgaggccc tttcgtctcg cgcgtttcgg tgatgacggt 7279 gaaaacctct gacacatgca gctcccggag acggtcacag cttgtctgta agcggatgcc 7339 gggagcagac aagcccgtca gggcgcgtca gcgggtgttg gcgggtgtcg gggctggctt 7399 aactatgcgg catcagagca gattgtactg agagtgcacc atatgcggtg tgaaataccg 7459 cacagatgcg taaggagaaa ataccgcatc aggcgccatt cgccattcag gctgcgcaac 7519 tgttgggaag ggcgatcggt gcgggcctct tcgctattac gccagctggc gaaaggggga 7579 tgtgctgcaa ggcgattaag ttgggtaacg ccagggtttt cccagtcacg acgttgtaaa 7639 acgacggcca gtgcc 7654 2 443 PRT Homo sapiens 2 Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Thr Ala Thr Gly 1 5 10 15 Val His Ser Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala 20 25 30 Ser Val Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln Asp Val 35 40 45 Gly Thr Ser Val Ala Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys 50 55 60 Leu Leu Ile Tyr Trp Thr Ser Thr Arg His Thr Gly Val Pro Ser Arg 65 70 75 80 Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser 85 90 95 Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Tyr Ser Leu 100 105 110 Tyr Arg Ser Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys Arg Gly Gly 115 120 125 Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly Ser Gly Ser Glu Val Gln 130 135 140 Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Val Val Gln Pro Gly Arg Ser Leu Arg 145 150 155 160 Leu Ser Cys Ser Ala Ser Gly Phe Asp Phe Thr Thr Tyr Trp Met Ser 165 170 175 Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly Glu Ile 180 185 190 His Pro Asp Ser Ser Thr Ile Asn Tyr Ala Pro Ser Leu Lys Asp Arg 195 200 205 Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ala Lys Asn Thr Leu Phe Leu Gln Met 210 215 220 Asp Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr Gly Val Tyr Phe Cys Ala Ser Leu 225 230 235 240 Tyr Phe Gly Phe Pro Trp Phe Ala Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Pro Val 245 250 255 Thr Val Ser Ser Ala Lys Pro Thr Thr Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Pro Pro 260 265 270 Thr Pro Ala Pro Thr Ile Ala Ser Gln Pro Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu 275 280 285 Ala Ala Arg Pro Ala Ala Gly Gly Ala Val His Thr Arg Gly Leu Asp 290 295 300 Phe Ala Leu Asp Pro Lys Leu Cys Tyr Leu Leu Asp Gly Ile Leu Phe 305 310 315 320 Ile Tyr Gly Val Ile Leu Thr Ala Leu Phe Leu Arg Val Lys Phe Ser 325 330 335 Arg Ser Ala Glu Pro Pro Ala Tyr Gln Gln Gly Gln Asn Gln Leu Tyr 340 345 350 Asn Glu Leu Asn Leu Gly Arg Arg Glu Glu Tyr Asp Val Leu Asp Lys 355 360 365 Arg Arg Gly Arg Asp Pro Glu Met Gly Gly Lys Pro Arg Arg Lys Asn 370 375 380 Pro Gln Glu Gly Leu Tyr Asn Glu Leu Gln Lys Asp Lys Met Ala Glu 385 390 395 400 Ala Tyr Ser Glu Ile Gly Met Lys Gly Glu Arg Arg Arg Gly Lys Gly 405 410 415 His Asp Gly Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Ser Thr Ala Thr Lys Asp Thr Tyr 420 425 430 Asp Ala Leu His Met Gln Ala Leu Pro Pro Arg 435 440 3 422 DNA Homo sapiens and Mus sp. CDS (8)..(421) hMn14 VH, humanized (CDR-grafted) anti-CEA antibody heavy chain V region (aa20-138) with leader (aa1-19) (pertinent to Fig. 4A.) 3 cctcacc atg gga tgg agc tgt atc atc ctc ttc ttg gta gca aca gct 49 Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Thr Ala 1 5 10 aca ggt gtc cac tcc gag gtc caa ctg gtg gag agc ggt gga ggt gtt 97 Thr Gly Val His Ser Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Val 15 20 25 30 gtg caa cct ggc cgg tcc ctg cgc ctg tcc tgc tcc gca tct ggc ttc 145 Val Gln Pro Gly Arg Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ser Ala Ser Gly Phe 35 40 45 gat ttc acc aca tat tgg atg agt tgg gtg aga cag gca cct gga aaa 193 Asp Phe Thr Thr Tyr Trp Met Ser Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys 50 55 60 ggt ctt gag tgg att gga gaa att cat cca gat agc agt acg att aac 241 Gly Leu Glu Trp Ile Gly Glu Ile His Pro Asp Ser Ser Thr Ile Asn 65 70 75 tat gcg ccg tct cta aag gat aga ttt aca ata tcg cga gac aac gcc 289 Tyr Ala Pro Ser Leu Lys Asp Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ala 80 85 90 aag aac aca ttg ttc ctg caa atg gac agc ctg aga ccc gaa gac acc 337 Lys Asn Thr Leu Phe Leu Gln Met Asp Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr 95 100 105 110 ggg gtc tat ttt tgt gca agc ctt tac ttc ggc ttc ccc tgg ttt gct 385 Gly Val Tyr Phe Cys Ala Ser Leu Tyr Phe Gly Phe Pro Trp Phe Ala 115 120 125 tat tgg ggc caa ggg acc ccg gtc acc gtc tcc tca g 422 Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Pro Val Thr Val Ser Ser 130 135 4 138 PRT Homo sapiens and Mus sp. 4 Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Thr Ala Thr Gly 1 5 10 15 Val His Ser Glu Val Gln Leu Val Glu Ser Gly Gly Gly Val Val Gln 20 25 30 Pro Gly Arg Ser Leu Arg Leu Ser Cys Ser Ala Ser Gly Phe Asp Phe 35 40 45 Thr Thr Tyr Trp Met Ser Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu 50 55 60 Glu Trp Ile Gly Glu Ile His Pro Asp Ser Ser Thr Ile Asn Tyr Ala 65 70 75 80 Pro Ser Leu Lys Asp Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Arg Asp Asn Ala Lys Asn 85 90 95 Thr Leu Phe Leu Gln Met Asp Ser Leu Arg Pro Glu Asp Thr Gly Val 100 105 110 Tyr Phe Cys Ala Ser Leu Tyr Phe Gly Phe Pro Trp Phe Ala Tyr Trp 115 120 125 Gly Gln Gly Thr Pro Val Thr Val Ser Ser 130 135 5 712 DNA Homo sapiens and Mus sp. CDS (14)..(712) hMN14 VLCK, humanized (CDR-grafted) anti-CEA antibody kappa light chain V region (aa20-126), with human constant CK domain (aa127- 232) and leader (aa1-19). (pertinent to Figure 4B.) 5 tctagacctc acc atg gga tgg agc tgt atc atc ctc ttc ttg gta gca 49 Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala 1 5 10 aca gct aca ggt gtc cac tcc gac atc cag ctg acc cag agc cca agc 97 Thr Ala Thr Gly Val His Ser Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser 15 20 25 agc ctg agc gcc agc gtg ggt gac aga gtg acc atc acc tgt aag gcc 145 Ser Leu Ser Ala Ser Val Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala 30 35 40 agt cag gat gtg ggt act tct gta gct tgg tac cag cag aag cca ggt 193 Ser Gln Asp Val Gly Thr Ser Val Ala Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly 45 50 55 60 aag gct cca aag ctg ctg atc tac tgg aca tcc acc cgg cac act ggt 241 Lys Ala Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile Tyr Trp Thr Ser Thr Arg His Thr Gly 65 70 75 gtg cca agc aga ttc agc ggt agc ggt agc ggt acc gac ttc acc ttc 289 Val Pro Ser Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe 80 85 90 acc atc agc agc ctc cag cca gag gac atc gcc acc tac tac tgc cag 337 Thr Ile Ser Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln 95 100 105 caa tat agc ctc tat cgg tcg ttc ggc caa ggg acc aag gtg gaa atc 385 Gln Tyr Ser Leu Tyr Arg Ser Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile 110 115 120 aaa cga act gtg gct gca cca tct gtc ttc atc ttc ccg cca tct gat 433 Lys Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp 125 130 135 140 gag cag ttg aaa tct gga act gcc tct gtt gtg tgc ctg ctg aat aac 481 Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn 145 150 155 ttc tat ccc aga gag gcc aaa gta cag tgg aag gtg gat aac gcc ctc 529 Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu 160 165 170 caa tcg ggt aac tcc cag gag agt gtc aca gag cag gac agc aag gac 577 Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp 175 180 185 agc acc tac agc ctc agc agc acc ctg acg ctg agc aaa gca gac tac 625 Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr 190 195 200 gag aaa cac aaa gtc tac gcc tgc gaa gtc acc cat cag ggc ctg agc 673 Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser 205 210 215 220 tcg ccc gtc aca aag agc ttc aac agg gga gag tgt taa 712 Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 225 230 6 232 PRT Homo sapiens and Mus sp. 6 Met Gly Trp Ser Cys Ile Ile Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Thr Ala Thr Gly 1 5 10 15 Val His Ser Asp Ile Gln Leu Thr Gln Ser Pro Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala 20 25 30 Ser Val Gly Asp Arg Val Thr Ile Thr Cys Lys Ala Ser Gln Asp Val 35 40 45 Gly Thr Ser Val Ala Trp Tyr Gln Gln Lys Pro Gly Lys Ala Pro Lys 50 55 60 Leu Leu Ile Tyr Trp Thr Ser Thr Arg His Thr Gly Val Pro Ser Arg 65 70 75 80 Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser 85 90 95 Leu Gln Pro Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Cys Gln Gln Tyr Ser Leu 100 105 110 Tyr Arg Ser Phe Gly Gln Gly Thr Lys Val Glu Ile Lys Arg Thr Val 115 120 125 Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp Glu Gln Leu Lys 130 135 140 Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn Phe Tyr Pro Arg 145 150 155 160 Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu Gln Ser Gly Asn 165 170 175 Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Thr Tyr Ser 180 185 190 Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr Glu Lys His Lys 195 200 205 Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Val Thr 210 215 220 Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 225 230 

what is claimed is:
 1. A chimeric molecule comprised of the CEA binding domain of humanized antibody MN14 as a single chain antibody with a (GGSGS)3 linker, the zeta signaling chain of the T cell receptor and an intervening CD8α hinge in which the cysteine residues have been mutated, with the sequence of FIG.
 3. 2. A molecule of claim 1 in which other signaling chains of T cells or other cell types are substituted, or in which a different hinge molecule or no hinge molecule is substituted, or a combination thereof.
 3. A molecule of claim 1 or 2 in which at least one of the CDRs of the heavy chain of MN14 and one of the CDRs of the light chain of MN14 are preserved in a form (e.g., sFv or Fab) that maintains the binding of the CEA antigen, and/or in which the linker is of different composition.
 4. A molecule of claim 1, 2 or 3 which has been modified in DNA or protein sequence but which retains the specificity and action of these molecules.
 5. The use of molecules of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 expressed in T cells or NK cells or other effector cells to treat patients with cancers expressing the CEA antigen.
 6. The combination use of molecules of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 expressed in T cells or NK cells or other effector cells to treat patients with cancers expressing the CEA antigen, together with each other or with heterologous constructs to engage additional stimulatory and functional properties of the effector cells to enhance the antitumor therapeutic efficacy. 